Wood can supply needed warmth in a bathroom

Bathrooms and kitchens in American homes come fully loaded with equipment, including cabinetry. These rooms usually function well enough, but they’re seldom likely to win any design awards. That’s probably why kitchens and bathrooms are often a homebuyer’s first choice for remodeling. It can be complicated and expensive to redesign these rooms, so consulting with a professional designer before doing so can save a lot of time and money.

Q.We’re planning to convert a small third bathroom into a second full bathroom. As organic types, we prefer wood over synthetics. But since it’s probably not appropriate to use wood for the cabinets as well as for the walls and floors, we’d like your advice on which of these surfaces to choose.

A.I empathize with your desire to use wood in a bathroom. I’ve done so myself, though sparingly. Bathrooms these days typically have a crisp look, but they should never have a cold appearance. Properly placed and treated for moisture resistance, wood can supply much needed warmth in a bathroom. And you’ll find there are many finishes for wood that will reliably protect it from scratching, as well as from moisture in a well-ventilated space.

Photo Courtesy of Brian VanDen BrinkWood can make a bathroom seem less cold, but take care to seal wood surfaces against the water with which it will constantly come in contact. There are many finishes for wood that not only will reliably protect it from scratching, but also from moisture in a well-ventilated space.This photo, from “New Built-ins Idea Book,” shows an attractive application of wood in a bathroom that remains crisply modern in its styling. Please note, by the way, that author Sandor Nagyszalanczy offers an amazing array of relevant remodeling ideas in his Taunton Press book.

In this model, I especially like the use of the same wood on the window wall as on the sink and storage counter. I must urge caution, however, in surrounding washbasins with wood unless they’re certain to have been sealed with many coats of a wood sealer. Exposing wood to water a few times a day, every day, may well shorten its lifespan.

Wood for the floor can also be a suitable choice as long as that same caveat is kept in mind. Design-wise, it’s preferable to accompany a wooden bathroom floor with ceramic wall and tub tiles that are white or very light, in color and high-gloss in finish.

If the design of this bathroom is a bit too sleek for your taste, please realize that a much softer look can be achieved with the same materials by choosing less dramatic lighting fixtures.

Should you prefer something less conspicuous, be sure that the substitutes light the space at least as effectively. Proper task lighting is essential in any bathroom, regardless of its design.Readers with general interior design questions for Rita St. Clair can e-mail her at rsca@ritastclair.com.